Senior Club News

January 18, 2013

COLLINS - For those who need to renew their driver's license in March, the first AARP Driving Course for 2013 has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, in the Community Room of the L. K. Painter Community Center, Main Street, Collins. The one-day, six-hour class will start at 9 a.m.

Pre-registration is required and can only be made by calling 532-2507. Course cost is $17 for those with valid AARP membership cards and $19 without. Payment must be made within five days of telephone confirmation and can only be made by check or money order payable to AARP. Cash is not accepted. Payment is to be sent to Collins Town Hall, Attention AARP, P.O. Box 240, Collins NY 14034.

There will be a 45-minute lunch break and a homemade lunch costing $2.50 will be offered by the 50-Plus Senior Program, or participants can bring their own lunch. Lunch reservations must be made when making course telephone reservations with payment to be collected the morning of the class.

The next good news is that a trip to the Seneca Niagara Casino has been scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21. The cost is $13 for residents of the towns of Collins, Perrysburg and Persia and $14 for all others, which includes motor coach transportation and $25 Seneca Slot Dollars. There is no food voucher given on this trip. There must be 40 paid passengers to go.

Check or money order made payable to Town of Collins must be received at Collins Town Hall within five days after making reservation. Send to Collins Town Hall, Attention Joan Byrne, P.O. Box 420, Collins NY 14034. Reservations can be made by calling 532-2507 or on the sign up sheet located in the Senior Room during regular program hours.

Departure time is 10:45 a.m. from the center's front parking lot, Main Street, Collins. Return time is approximately 5:30 p.m.

Allison and Don Girod will not be able to provide Free Income Tax assistance at the Painter Center, and for the second year, the senior center has been unable to obtain anyone from Erie County who is certified to do the job.

The Girods will again be doing taxes at the Cattaraugus Free Library starting on Wednesday, Feb. 6. Appointments are required and must be made by calling them at 257-3285. As soon as further information is received from Allison and Don, it will be shared with readers.

The monthly Euchre and Pinochle Card Party is on Sunday, Jan. 20 at 1:30 p.m. in the center's gymnasium. Cost is $5.

The center is closed Monday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and all senior programs are canceled but will resume next Monday.

The rest of the weekly programs will be held as scheduled for Tuesday through Friday.

A Tuesday Soup and Sandwich Luncheon will be held at noon in the Senior Room. The menu consists of bean soup, grilled cheese sandwich, dessert and beverages. Cost is $2.50. Reservations are required and must be made by calling 532-2507 no later than Monday at noon.

On Friday, the Community Service program begins at 1 p.m. in the Senior Room. Easter will be early this year so many volunteers are needed to assist in making items for this holiday.

Dunkirk Senior Citizen Board of Directors

The Dunkirk Senior Citizen Board of Directors met recently at the Senior Center with Barb Bajdas presiding. She led the officers in the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Communications were received from Marcia Henderson, Julian Niedbalski, the Forestville Food Pantry, the Rainbow Inn, Fr. Julio of the Fatima Shrine and the Rural Ministry. A motion to send a monetary donation to the Rural Ministry was made and seconded.

Carol Kozlowski reported on the monthly galas noting that reservations were being accepted for the February gala. The menu will include punch, hors d'oeuvres, salad, spaghetti, bread and butter, dessert and beverages. Also the chairman of the house committee reported a heating unit located on the roof was repaired, all exterior lightbulbs have been replaced, two carpet runners donated by Janet Kasprzyk were placed at each doorway and construction in the Office of the Aging office began on Jan. 14.

Stella Michalak reported that there are 350 members registered to date for 2013.

Nancy Crandall invites anyone interested to join the seniors to play Pinochle on Monday afternoons at the center. Crandall also noted that Big Bingo will be held on Feb. 20, March 20, April 17 and May 15. A complimentary lunch will be served at 4:30 p.m. followed by Bingo at 5 p.m. A special Big Bingo game will be held on Friday, Feb. 1 at noon following the complimentary Super Bowl luncheon.

Delphine Woloszyn reported that the Craft Committee is working on Valentine favors for the Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels patrons.

Crandall and Woloszyn reported that the daily exercise programs are doing well. New members are always welcome, and interested parties may call the center for more information.

Bajdas reported that the January trip to Presque Isle and the February trip to Sprague's Farms and Salamanca Casino are sold out. A March 25 trip will have stops at the Broadway Market, Ilio De Paulo's Restaurant and the McKinley Mall. She also reminded travelers going to Atlantic City in August that their next payment is due Feb. 22.

Bajdas also announced that RSVP would be doing free income tax beginning in February on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center. Call the center to schedule an appointment.

New office hours at the center will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesdays 9 a.m. to noon; and Thursday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mary Jo Siragusa will be the new senior aide in charge of the Dunkirk Lunch Site. Lunch will be served on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. New diners are welcome.

The next meeting will be held on Feb. 7. Anyone in Dunkirk or the surrounding communities is invited to join the Dunkirk Senior Center. Call 366-7530 with any questions.

Grape Belt Seniors

The Grape Belt Seniors were pleased with the turnout for the first yoga class at the center, which met on Friday, Jan. 11. The class will continue to meet the next two Fridays in January at 10:45 a.m. The class will also be offered every Friday in February. Participants should bring their own yoga mat and bands.

The other new group started in January was the knitting/crocheting circle, which met on Wednesday, Jan. 9. They will meet again on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 10:30 a.m. Anyone interested in participating in either of these groups is encouraged to come to the next scheduled meeting and be welcomed by a friendly group of people.

The Grape Belt Seniors recently received a large donation of books from The Thrifty Reader Book Shop on West Main Road. Many of the books are in large print and are available to be checked out by any senior in the area.

Seniors from other centers are also welcome to join the Grape Belt Seniors on their various bus trips. More and more people are signing up for the four-day Pennsylvania Rail Adventure as they are learning about the specific details of that trip. On the first day there will be a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's magnificently designed home called Fallingwater, which was built for the family of the department store owner Edgar Kaufmann. Two of the highlights of the second day are a train ride around Horseshoe Curve and attendance at a dinner theatre to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Cats." Call 672-5274 for more details on this trip.

Lakeshore Senior Citizens

The Lakeshore Senior Citizens met at the Dunkirk Senior Center on Wednesday. President Stella Michalak led the members in saying the Pledge of Allegiance and singing "God Bless America."

A reading entitled "Brightening Light" was given by Josie Wierczynski. The minutes from the previous meeting were read by Wierczynski, the temporary secretary. They were accepted as read by Charlie Hallmark with a second by Jean Kubera. The treasurer's report was read by Treasurer Betty Korzeniewski. It was accepted as read by Sophia Kubasik with a second by Marion Genovese.

Attendance prizes were won by Korzeniewski, Kubera and Florence Marut. Helper of the day was Michalak, and others assisted.

The kitchen committee for Jan. 30 is Michalak and Mary Musso.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Agnes Warner and seconded by Jean Szot.

There will be no meeting Jan. 23. Wednesday will be Big Bingo at 4 p.m. at the Dunkirk Senior Center. The next meeting will be Jan. 30 at 1:15 p.m.

Carol Kozlowski sent a card of thanks for the gift card she received. Dorothy Cooper sent her new address.

SILVER CREEK - The Mt. Carmel Seniors met at the Parish Hall and enjoyed a traditional soup and bread luncheon. Several types of soups were featured and created by chefs Carm Morabito, Janet Lasker, Virginia Chesbro and Nancy Greco as well as a variety of desserts.

The refreshment committee included Joe and Teresa Ark, Angie Logan and Nancy Greco. An official meeting followed with President Carm Tampio leading a pledge to the flag, followed by a prayer by Chaplain Carm Morabito. Roll call by Vice President Josie Crino indicated 32 members present.

Past meeting minutes were read by Secretary Sue Borowski and accepted as read. A financial report on expenditures was presented by Jeanette Mula. President Carm Tampio read a thank you note from Father Daniel Fiebelkorn related to the club's generosity.

A discussion was led by Crino to poll members on future speakers. The next club meeting is scheduled for Feb. 6. The assigned refreshment committee is Melanie Bates, Rose Falcone, and Sue and Dennis Borowski.

Memberships are open and newcomers are welcome to attend meetings which are held the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 12:30 p.m.

Sinclairville Senior Citizens

SINCLAIRVILLE - The Sinclairville Senior Citizens met recently at the Sinclairville Firehall Dining Room for their first meeting for the new year. The first order of business was the passing of the gavel from the outgoing President Elaine Palmer-Titus to the new president, Margie McIntyre. Titus remarked that it seemed like she had been the president "for a hundred years" with a tear in her eye. Titus has served the senior group in the leadership role as president and vice president for more than a decade, and served as the tour guide on special bus tours. Appreciation is extended to Titus for her many years of dedicated leadership for the group.

The Sinclairville Senior Citizens meet once a month on the second Tuesday for a luncheon and program, and with many happy moments. At the recent meeting, a tureen dinner was served whereby members brought a dish of food to pass, and ample amounts of a variety of food were available to all. The blessing was given prior to the meal, and those standing in need were remembered. The Pledge of the Allegiance to the flag was led by McIntyre.

Other officers installed were Vice President Linda Parmenter, Secretary Bill Wittenbrook, and Treasurer Claudia Wittenbrook. Betty Wielgasz will continue to serve as the sunshine chairman.

McIntyre said that a committee is setting plans for the programs for the year, and a printed program will be provided for all. Each meeting will include a tureen meal, and members are asked to bring a dish of food to pass and their own table settings. Dimon Smith will provide table coverings and have the coffee ready for each meeting. The annual summer picnic will be held in July. Plans are being made for bus tours later in the year.

At the next meeting at the Sinclairville Firehall dining room on Tuesday, Feb. 12, Jim and Fran Odell will provide the table decorations. All luncheons begin promptly at noon. New members are always welcome.